Frequently Asked Questions

I am registered and can’t attend the first class, will you hold my space?

If you do not attend the first class and there are students wanting to add, you will be dropped from the class. I do not hold spaces.

Your class is full so how can I add?

On the first day of class, I follow this procedure:

Any registered students not attending the first class will be dropped.
I will add students up to the maximum class size by the order on which the students appear on the wait list.
If the class size is still below maximum, I will add other non-registered students not on the wait list up to the maximum class size. If there are more students than spaces, I will choose by lottery.

I want to just audit the class for a while. Do you sign late add slips?

You must add the class immediately after receiving the add code in order to attend the class. I do not sign late add slips for any reason.

What is your policy on missing some classes during the quarter for a planned vacation?

My attendence policy is that students who cannot attend all classes should not sign up for the course. Math and Statistics are challanging courses and require a full commitment. I will make rare exceptions to this policy, such as military reserves who have a temporary service commitment that allows them time for study.

I want to drop/withdraw from the class, but I missed the deadline. Will you sign my late add/withdrawal slip?

It is your responsibility to drop or withdraw by the published deadlines. I will not sign late drop/withdrawal slips for any reason.

What is the best way to contact you outside of class?

E-mail is the best way to contact me when I am not in my office hours since I check those messages more frequently. During my office hours you can reach me at 408-864-5383.

Where is your office and when are your office hours?

My office is iin S49A. My office hours are posted here.

I have a class conflict during your office hours. What can I do?

You can arrange to see me at other times. Talk to me after class or send me an email.

Can I share the textbook in order to save money?

I do not recommend that. Also, if textbooks are allowed during exams, you will not be allowed to share them.

Why can’t I use my TI-89 in your class?

I do not allow the TI-89 or other calculators with CAS systems in most classes because:

I believe use of this calculator inhibits the learning of basic skills in algebra and calculus and
Students who can afford a TI-89 would have an unfair advantage in the class.

What do you consider cheating?

Cheating is obtaining or trying to obtain (for yourself or others) credit for work or an improved grade by dishonest or deceptive means. Some examples of cheating:

Plagiarism on a paper.
Copying another student in an exam.
Letting another student copy your work.
Using banned materials (such as photocopied notes) on exams.
Using banned devices (such as cell phones and disallowed calculators) on exams.
Using illegal notes during an exam.
Sharing notes, calculators or other materials during an exam.
Having someone else do your work or doing the work for another student. This includes homework and labs.
Lying about an exam in order to increase the grade.
Changing a graded exam to the correct answer and then claiming the instructor made an error.
Turning in work from a prior quarter's lab.
Hiring others, including tutors, to do your work for you.
Having another student representing you during class or an exam.
Continuing to write on the exam after "time" has been called.
Text-messaging another student during an exam.
Copying or photographing an exam.
Switchign an exam or answer sheet with another student during an exam.
Removing exam materials from the classroom without permission.

What is your policy on cheating?

I have a zero-tolerance policy and I use active measures to prevent cheating. A student who is caught cheating will receive at minimum a zero on the exam, quiz, lab or project. More serious cases will result in the student receiving an F for the course and having the incident referred to the Dean for further action. Severe cases of cheating may result in criminal prosecution. If you intend to cheat, please do not sign up for my class.

I missed class and hoped you would accept my homework late.

I do not accept late homework for any reason.

I missed class and hoped you would give me the lecture notes.

You need to arrange with another student in the class to get notes if you happen to miss class.

I missed the exam, how can I make it up?

I generally do not give make-up exams unless it is stated in the green sheet.

Do you give extra credit assignments?

No, unless it is stated in the green sheet.

I need help in this class, I’m really struggling. What should I do?

Read the section in the text before it is covered in class. Even if you don’t understand it, the lectures will make more sense.
Attend class every day – stay caught up on current material.
Do all the homework for a section immediately after it is covered in class. Don’t put it off to the due date.
Get extra help from the math tutorial center.
Come to my office hours for extra help. Office hours are posted in the class syllabus.

The class moves too fast and I can’t keep up. What should I do?

For students coming from high school or a semester system college, the change to the quarter system college pace can be dramatic. At De Anza, we cover in 12 weeks material that may be covered in a one year high school course. You must spend more time learning the material outside of the classroom. The typical student will spend 2 hours studying for every one hour of class. It is most important to not fall behind, not miss class and put in the necessary studying time. Use the math tutorial center and come to my office hours for extra help.

Where is the Math & Science Tutorial Center?

The center is located in S-43 and is open for drop-in tutoring. If students are interested, group tutoring is also an option. The hours of operation are shown on the math tutorial center website.

Will you email me or post my grade, final exam score, etc?

Due to student confidentiality requirements, all discussion about your grading must be done in person. I do not post or email grades, exam scores or any other personal information. You can contact me during my office hours or make an appointment.

I think you made a mistake on grading my work. Will you fix it?

If you feel I made an error in grading, please bring it to my attention. I will correct grading errors I make, but the partial credit I award is not negotiable.

I don’t like my grade for the course. What can I do to change it?

Grades are final and not negotiable. I only make changes to grades if I made a mistake.

What is your policy on letters of recommendation?

I would like at least one week of lead time in order to review your case. Please provide me with the contact and any forms needed to complete the recommendation as well as any background information you would find helpful.

Can you recommend another instructor for me to take?

I believe our college has many competent instructors with many different styles. I do not make individual recommendations about instructors. When I was a student, the instructor I learned the most from was also the toughest grader I ever had. My best advice is to be open-minded and don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.